[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 22574]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF MR. GEORGE W. KUHN

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
George W. Kuhn, who is retiring this year after a 60-year career during 
which he split time between the United States Navy, the Ford Motor 
Company, and being a public servant. Whatever the forum, he has been a 
leader and an inspiration to those around him.
  Mr. Kuhn graduated from Central Michigan University, majoring in 
business administration, economics, and political science. In 1943, he 
entered the Naval Service and served aboard the Tender U.S.S. Pelias as 
a Finance Officer. He returned to active duty during the Korean War and 
served at U.S. Naval Stations in New York and in the Panama Canal Zone. 
Ultimately, he retired as a Navy Captain after completing 39 years of 
service, both on active duty and in the Naval Reserves.
  Following the Korean War, Mr. Kuhn completed Ford Motor Company's 
Management Training Program. He served on the staff of the Vice 
President of Product Development for 20 years, coordinating the 
development phases of styling, engineering, purchasing and 
manufacturing of future car programs.
  Mr. Kuhn's passion has always been in public service, though. He has 
been a leader within the Oakland County Republican Party for nearly 50 
years, since his involvement in Eisenhower's first presidential 
campaign. In 1959, he was elected Mayor of the City of Berkley, 
Michigan. He served as Mayor until being elected to serve as a State 
Senator in 1966. During his four year tenure in the Michigan State 
Senate, he served as Chairman of the Corporations and Banking 
Committee, Chairman of the Senate Municipalities and Election 
Committee, and as Senate Majority Whip in 1970. In November of 1972, he 
was elected Oakland County Drain Commissioner, and he has served 
admirably in this position for the past 28 years, making him the 
longest active member of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation 
Commission.
  Mr. Kuhn has often been recognized for his efforts. He has received 
the Ford Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, the Distinguished 
Alumni Award at the 75th Anniversary of Central Michigan University, he 
has been honored by the Michigan Associated Underground Contractors, 
Inc., in appreciation of his contributions to the underground 
construction industry, and is a recent recipient of the Oakland 
County's annual Quality People, Quality County (Q2) Award which 
recognizes outstanding service to the community.
  I applaud Mr. Kuhn on his extraordinary service to Oakland County, 
the State of Michigan, and our Nation. His leadership in all phases of 
his 60 year career has been exceptional and will be dearly missed. On 
behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate and thank Mr. 
George W. Kuhn on a wonderful and successful career, and wish him the 
best of luck in retirement.

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